Gambling addiction has surpassed drug addiction as the primary issue reported to Turkish Green Crescent (Yesilay), according to the organization’s president, Associate Professor Mehmet Dinc.
In a presentation to the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye’s Children’s Rights Commission, Dinc highlighted the growing prevalence of online gambling, especially among youth.
“For years, we received the most applications related to drug addiction. However, this year, gambling addiction has overtaken it,” Dinc stated. Reports of gambling addiction rose from 24% in 2020 to 36% in 2024.
Dinc noted that gambling addiction often begins at the age of 15, with technology-related addictions, including internet dependence, starting as early as 12.
